Boat Access Greeter – Paid & Volunteer Positions

Program History

The Volunteer Greeter Program was initiated in 2008 with more than two dozen LMPA members and friends manning the boat access to help educate boaters about invasive species and provide courtesy boat inspections to prevent new invasives such as Eurasian Water Milfoil from entering our Lake. The milfoil management efforts at Lake Morey are considered a model in Vermont and throughout the northeast.

Additionally, the Town of Fairlee hires a greeter to work at the boat launch on weekends to check boats as they enter and exit the water. Beginning with the 2016 season, we have increased the number of paid Greeters, providing coverage at the busiest times. Funding for this year’s effort comes from the VT Agency of Natural Resources, a grant from The Lake Morey Foundation, and funding from our Association.

We appreciate this team approach, which substantially increases the number of hours that the boat launch is manned for boat inspections and boater education.

Job Description & Responsibilites¹

Aquatic invasive species – non-native species that cause ecological harm when introduced into bodies of water outside of their natural range – continue to be a great concern in Vermont, demanding our attention as well as our resources. Aquatic invasive species ( AIS ) are spread by overland transport of watercraft, trailers, fishing and recreational equipment. The most effective way to prevent spread is through education and equipment inspections to clean and remove potential invasive species “hitching a ride” on equipment. Preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species is far more effective and economically sensible than eradicating invasive species once they are established. Public Access Greeters educate lake visitors about invasive species, provide courtesy watercraft inspections and STOP introductions.

Goals

To prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by establishing a well trained network of public access greeters who:

Educate recreational boaters about the harmful effects of invasive species and what they can do to prevent spreading them.

Provide courtesy boat inspections to encourage boaters to “do the right thing” to stop the spread of AIS.

Stop invasive species introductions

Boat Access Greeter Duties

Approaching and interacting with boaters/others in a welcoming manner

Inspecting watercraft

Identifying and handling suspicious specimens

Collecting and reporting data

Distributing educational materials

Work with and report to on a regular basis members of the Lake Morey Protective Association and state officials

Training Requirement

Greeters are required to attend a *training workshop where they will learn:

Aquatic invasive species biology, threats to Vermont, and the importance of spread prevention

Aquatic invasive species identification and hands-on workshop

Access area rules and regulations, baitfish regulations, and invasive species laws

Tips on delivering invasive species messages and interacting with the public

* In the past, this training has been a 3-4 hr. workshop held in Berlin, VT.

Upcoming Events

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Volunteer

The 2018 ADOPT-A-LAKE FORM is now online and can be found under the Programs tab. This is very important and vital for our Lake to receive Grant money to defray milfoil costs.

Friends of Fairlee Forests needs your help!
Fairlee boasts over 35 miles of public trail. Contact Lynne at ldfitzhugh@yahoo.com
to volunteer for maintenance of trails around Lake Morey.
Check out the Friends of Fairlee Forest website for maps, natural history and other resources concerning our Lake and area environment.

Contact Us

Ice Out Chart

The 2018 Ice Out on Lake Morey occurred on April 24. Click here for a chart that shows all ice out dates on our Lake back to 1977. Click here to link to a youtube video taken during the ice breakup on Lake Morey in 2014.